[InTheHole]

Doug Williams

Saturday March 28, 2009 - 4:40 pm EDT
Missouri Tigers at Connecticut Huskies
Line: Connecticut -5.5 (149 O/U)
Missouri ruined my March Madness bracket and probably a lot more people's too. They upset Memphis on Thursday, but they’ll have face one of the nation’s best teams on Saturday in the Elite Eight, when they take on top seeds Connecticut as big underdogs. Hasheem Thabeet was huge for the Huskies with 15 points, 15 boards and four blocks as they covered the spread for the third game in a row beating Purdue 72-60.Connecticut are 5.5 point favorites in this game, but they’ll have to be aware of the Tigers, who upset Memphis. Missouri better hit all their shots because the Huskies will have a huge rebounding advantage. I really don't see this game going any other way than with Connecticut.
Pick: Take Connecticut to cover the spread.

Saturday March 28, 2009 - 7:05 pm EDT
Villanova Wildcats at Pittsburgh Panthers
Line: Pittsburgh -2 (142 O/U)
Bye bye Duke! I hope you took my advice and took the Wildcats to upset Duke, I had a feeling their inexperience would show. Villanova won the rebounding battle against Duke but Pittsburgh will be another story. Villanova beat Pittsburgh in their only matchup earlier in the season but that didn't really count.Pitts didn't cover on Thursday for me but with the line at -2 I'm confident they can in this game. I'm sure Sam Young will keep his scoring average (21.6 per game) - he leads Pitts in scoring in the tournament with 65 points. I can see DeJuan Blair picking up his game too when it really matters like he did on opening game. I'm hoping Jermaine Dixon can get his act together too. Levance Fields will be great as usual. With guys like these on the team I don't see Nova having what it takes to get by the Panthers.
Pick: Take Pittsburgh to cover the spread
and take the OVER 140
- I can see this being a high scoring game...